Bump to Bliss - mothering the mother

Doula & Hypnobirthing teacher - Brunei

My name is Katy and as your doula I am here for you from bump, through birth, to bliss! Doulas are there to "mother the mother" and that is exactly what I do. We will meet to discuss any fears you may have, what birth preferences you wish for and the role you feel I should take to make your pregnancy and birth a truly positive one. Doulas do not give advice but we do offer unstinting support to you in whatever decisions you wish to take in your birth and post birth.

Whether you wish to have a homebirth, hospital birth or indeed an elective caesarean I will be there to support you from established labour to the point where you are settled with the baby and happy for me to leave. So many women come away from their birthing experiences feeling that control was taken from them and decisions made without their full understanding. I will be there to explain things to you, be the link between you and any medical staff and ensure you have full knowledge of what is going on, so that you can make informed choices. Birth should be an empowering positive experience and I want to help you make this so.

In regard to what my doula package consists of; I will meet with you and ideally your partner at least twice before the birth to discuss any previous births, what your hopes and birth preferences are for this birth and the role you foresee me taking. We will also discuss your options during the labour, from birth positions to natural ways of speeding up the labour. My on call dates will be from 38 weeks of pregnancy until the babies birth, 24 hours a day. Once you are in labour I will be with you from when you want me until you are happily settled with the baby and have established breastfeeding should this be your wish. I will then come and visit you for a final time once you are settled at home so we can discuss the birth.

For postnatal doula work this can be a more bespoke package. We can discuss what hours you feel would be helpful to you, and what you feel I can do to help you maximise your bonding time with your baby, or indeed quality time with other children. I can take children to school, mind the baby whilst you take a bath or sleep, pop some food on for you, walk the dog and many other things. I also hold a diploma in postnatal care so can maternity nanny for 1 or 2 nights a week.